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Miners dominated the risers board after Eurasian Natural Resources rose 34p to 592p, Kazakhyms added 50.5p to 694p and Rio Tinto gained 110p to 2767p. The improvement came after a sector wide upgrade from Goldman Sachs.

Cable & Wireless joined BA on the fallers' board in a second day of losses after its
full-year figures yesterday raised concerns it may not be able to
sustain growth after recent turnaround efforts.

The group's shares fell 3.5p to 138.5p.

The rout in the retail sector showed no signs of ending after
investors were spooked by Marks & Spencer's poor results and news
of a dividend cut.

While M&S cheered 1% or 3p to 288.75p, Argos owner Home Retail Group led the declines, down 3.25p at 232.75p, and Kingfisher fell 1.2p to 181p.

Outside the top flight, pubs group Marston's rose 6%, or 10.25p to 170p, after it reported an improvement in trading
since February, although this was not enough to prevent it announcing a
21% fall in half-year profits.

Sector counterparts also benefited, with Mitchells & Butlers ahead 10.75p at 248.5p and Enterprise Inns up 6p at 155p.

Elsewhere, shares in Next Fifteen Communications fell 16% or 8.5p to 46p after the PR firm said
it was no longer in takeover talks with two of its rivals.

In contrast, shares in property firm Brixton surged 20%, up 10p to 59.75p, after it said it was holding bid discussions with a small number of parties. Rival Segro - up 0.75p at 25.75p - expressed interest in a deal.